April 2002 Volume 5, Issue 1

Welcome to our new format

   In December, we changed our newsletter’s name to Pinery Pipeline. This issue we are introducing a new format. The newsletter will continue to come out three times a year. The new format will include several regular features including what’s happening in the District, water quality topics, water conservation tips, District rules and regulations, and FAQs from our customers.

Water Supply and Growth

   We often here concerns, and there have been recent news stories about whether there is enough water in Douglas County to support all of the growth that has occurred, and is planned.  These concerns spread to other parts of the metro area and the State as well. The Pinery Water and Wastewater District has adequate water supply and water rights to meet the needs of our District through full buildout.  However, there are limitations that influence how we supply water and how we operate. 

Water Rights

   The District has historic water rights on Cherry Creek that date back to the 1870’s.  These water rights form the backbone of our water supply system. On the surface, Cherry Creek does not look like much, but there is a large alluvial aquifer associated with Cherry Creek. The District operates a number of shallow wells that pump out of this alluvial system. This water supply is renewable because rain and snowfall recharge the aquifer. We provide the majority of our water from this source.

   The District also has water rights in the Denver Basin aquifer. Much of Douglas County relies on this non-renewable aquifer system. When people express concern about Douglas County running out of water, they are referring to this water supply source. Water rights define and annual amount of water that can be withdrawn over a 100 year period. The District has Denver Basin Groundwater Rights that are more than double our projected buildout demand for water. This means, that coupled with our Cherry Creek water rights that we have sufficient water supply to meet our current and projected needs well into the future.

The Future

   While the District holds adequate water rights to meet the needs of the District, the cost of using and developing the water supply continues to go up.  The water levels in the Denver Basin aquifer are dropping as we use the water. The cost to drill and equip a well into the Arapahoe formation of the Denver Basin approaches $1,000,000, and the electrical cost to bring the water up from 2,000 feet is expensive.  This means that our cost to produce water from the Denver Basin is going up over time as the water level in the aquifer drops.  The other factor that causes our costs to rise is that the amount of water we are able to get out of each well drops as the water level drops. This means that we will have to have more wells in the future to provide the same amount of water.

   The District, along with eleven other Districts in Douglas and south-central Arapahoe County entered into a Three Party Agreement with Denver Water and The Colorado River Water Conservation District to evaluate water management strategies that could meet some of the future water needs.   The study is focused on water supply needs in the year 2050 and beyond, and how water from the South Platte and upper Colorado drainage basins could become part of the water supply. The concept, known as conjunctive use, would provide for interruptible supplies of water from the South Platte, and Colorado River to be delivered to Douglas and Arapahoe Counties when there is plentiful water available.  This water, when available would be provided to our customers, and the excess would be injected into the aquifer system for later use. When water from the Platte and Colorado Rivers is not available, the existing groundwater supplies would be used. This conjunctive use of these water supplies could extend the life of the Denver Basin Aquifer system significantly.

Water Conservation

   We live in an arid environment, and water conservation is an important part of any water supply plan.  The District recently adopted a Water Conservation Plan. Our use of water in Cherry Creek, also depends on water conservation. The District’s use of the water from Cherry Creek is controlled by our water rights, and by a Plan for Augmentation that is enforced by the Water Court.  The Plan for Augmentation allows for the District to withdraw water from Cherry Creek and replace it with water discharged from our wastewater treatment plant. The Plan for Augmentation has assumptions in it regarding the percentage of water that is used indoors, versus outside for irrigation. It is important for us to all to make careful use of this precious resource. 

 District Construction Projects

   The District has been busy over the winter working on a couple of replacement projects.  The pump station on North Pinery Parkway just above the Pinery Pointe subdivision was built in 1971. The pumps in that pump station have never been replaced, and spare parts for the pumps are no longer available. The pump station is being enlarged, and the pumps, chemical feed equipment, and electrical switchgear are being replaced. The project will be completed this Spring. 

   Also this winter, we have been working on refurbishing one of our wells. We have replaced the pump and put in a new pipeline and control equipment for a well near the County’s trailhead on the west side of Parker Road. 

   We also continue to add facilities to support the growth in the area. We have drilled two new wells, one near Bingham Lake, and one on the Western edge of the District near Crowfoot Valley Road. We will place a pump in the well near Bingham Lake in the next year. The one up near Crowfoot Valley Road will be equipped when growth begins on the west side of Cherry Creek. Later this year, work will begin on a new pump station, and storage tanks on the west side of Cherry Creek to support the Pinery West Development.

   Lastly, we will begin work this Spring on an expansion and remodel of our administrative and water operations office facilities to bring our site into compliance with County requirements, and to provide much needed space for our growing operation. 

Growth in the District

   When new development occurs in the District, the Developer builds the water and sewer facilities required to serve the new development, and then deeds them to the District. The cost of the facilities is ultimately borne by the buyers of the new homes.

   In 2001, the District added 272 new customers. In 2002, we project that we will add less than 100 new customers. This drop off has been projected for a number of years, and it is more a result of fewer lots being available rather than a slowing of the economy.  New customers in 2002 will be primarily in the Pinery Glen and Timbers subdivisions. In 2003, the Pradera Pass subdivision should be ready for homesales and we project that we will see a higher number of new customers.

   The Pradera Pass subdivision is west of Cherry Creek and access will be from Jordan Chambers Road (Bayou Gulch) and off Crowfoot Valley Road. The Developer is building the bridge across Cherry Creek and working on the main road system. Later this summer work will begin on the water and sewer systems needed to support this development.

Staff Profiles

This new feature will introduce you to one or two of the District’s staff. Now you can put a name to the friendly faces or voices you may encounter from time to time.

   Mary Applegate is a familiar voice to many of our customers. She has been taking care of daily District office business for 21 years. Being in a “one-girl” office for much of that time meant she learned and did just about everything from billing to customer calls and dispatching District staff.

When she’s not taking care of District business, she is very active in church activities and with her family. With four children and 21, soon to be 23, grandchildren, she says having a job close to home gives her more time to enjoy all of them. She also enjoys listening to The Irish Tenors. Busy Lady!

    Paul Makowski joined the District back in 1973 when there were only 50 homes in the Pinery. To say that Paul has seen it all is an understatement. He started out  reading meters, inspecting, repairing and maintaining both water & sewer lines and facilities. By 1977 he had become Chief Operator for both water & sewer systems. Paul has been Water Superintendent since 1991. He enjoys the variety and the challenges of the job.

“ The people I work with are very knowledgeable and dedicated to bringing our customers the best service possible,” says Paul. His hobbies include traveling, music, friends, family & digital photography with his wife.

 Water Quality Corner

   In this column of the newsletter we will be taking one “aspect” of water quality and giving you some information on it. If you have any particular quality issue you would like covered in future newsletters please contact the Water Staff @ 303-841-2759 ext.16.

   For our first “lesson” I thought we’d start with something basic and build from here. Lets talk about pH.  The pH of a solution is a measure of its hydrogen ion activity or the intensity of the basic or acid condition of a liquid. pH may range from 0 to 14, where 0 is most acid and 14 being most basic.

   By definition, the pH of pure water at a temperature of  25° Celsius is 7.00 or neutral. Natural waters usually have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. The pH of a public water system is significant because it may affect taste, corrosion potential and water treatment processes. The USEPA National Secondary Water Regulations set a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 as a Maximum Contaminant Level for public water systems.  Your District monitors the pH of each well and the collective pH of your drinking water after treatment.  The average pH of the water in the Pinery ranges from 6.8 to 7.3 due mainly to the quality of our source water.

3rd Annual Water-wise & Hardy Perennial Plant Sale

   The 3rd Annual Water-wise & Hardy Perennial Plant Sale benefiting the Friends of Castlewood Canyon State Park offers over 70 water-wise and Hardy plants and grasses that are recommended by the Colorado State University plant trials for use in the Parker area. These plants have been screened for hardiness, adaptation to altitude, zone, soil-conditions, long bloom time, and beauty. Proceeds of the sale are donated to the Friends of Castlewood Canyon State Park for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of Castlewood Canyon State Park.
   The sale is by catalog through May 4, 2002, with plant pick up on May 18th and 19th, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the High Prairie Truck Farm & Gardens, 8865 Bayou Gulch Road, Franktown, CO 80116. Contact the High Prairie Truck Farm & Gardens at 303-805-4083 or email TruckFarm1@aol.com to request a catalog or further information.

 District Rules and Regs

   This is a new column in our Newsletter. The goal of this article is to inform our customers about the Rules and Regulations that govern our responses to your needs. Overall management and establishment of “policy” is vested in a five member Board of Directors elected for four year terms on a staggered basis in even numbered years. The latest amendment to these Rules and Regulations was done in May of 1998. 

   In this article we have chosen to address a pertinent Rule that is timely with spring approaching.

   In Part 1, section 3.6 our Rules and Regulations state the following:  “Water and sewer lines on private property,    including all components of lawn irrigation systems are the responsibility of the customer they serve. The District assumes no responsibility or liability for the operation or maintenance of service lines or lawn irrigation systems, but does regulate their design, installation and repair. The District is responsible for the repair and maintenance of meters and meter pits.

   Any leak or break in a service line or lawn irrigation system line shall be repaired by the customer within 72 hours of   notification of such condition by the District. If a leak or break has not been repaired within 72 hours of notification or, if said leak or break endangers the District’s systems, the District shall have the right either to repair it or have it repaired. The customer shall be assessed the District’s costs for repair”.

 Biosolids Beat

   During 2001, odors from the Pinery Water Reclamation Facility’s Biosolids composting operations generated a number of concerns. In response, the District hired the engineering firm of Montgomery Watson Harza to study our Biosolids process and make recommendations. They recommended a two pronged approach to manage the odors.

   The first process change was to construct a Biofilter. The process, being used in Louisville currently, utilizes blowers, air distribution piping and a Biofilter to diminish the odors. The Biofilter is a layering of organic materials including peat moss, sand, and cedar bark chips. The composting Biosolids are covered to maintain moisture needed for the process and to contain and capture any odors generated and “vacuum” them off into the Biofilter. The Biofilter “pilot” has been in use since October 2001 and to date has been successful.

   The other being studied is a misting system surrounding the composting operations using chemical odor neutralizers.

   Between these two process changes, we hope to be able to diminish the odors. As always, anyone is welcome to tour our facility and the Biosolids process. Please call the District @ 303-841-2797 ext 36 with any concerns or comments on this matter or to schedule a tour.

   Our first Semi-annual Biosolids Saturday Pickup will be held May 11^th  from 8am to 1pm. If it should be raining that day, we will be open the following Saturday, the 18^th. Bring your shovel, your buckets or bags. We will have someone available to load trailers and pickup trucks. For Pinery residents, the maximum annual quantity is 5 cubic yards, or about 6.5 Case Tractor buckets.** Additional Biosolids can be purchased by residents and non-residents for $12.50 per cubic yard. 

**A simple conversion:
        1 cubic = 27 cubic feet,
        1 cubic foot = approximately 50 pounds, depending on dryness of the Biosolids this year.

   Another Saturday will be set up for the fall season. Watch for the date in our next Pinery Pipeline.

   Our regular weekday hours for pickup are Monday – Friday, 7am to 3pm. Call ahead to check on availability or if you need a truck loaded. Staff can be reached at 303-841-2797 Ext. 39 for information.

A Word About Security

   Immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001, the District increased security, testing, and inspections of all of our facilities. Critical facilities are monitored continuously, and all staff are on heightened alert. There have been no threats against our water quality, and we are not discussing what specific security measures have been taken. 

   However, on February 17th, vandals opened two fire hydrants in the middle of the night, draining the District’s stored water supply by 300,000 gallons. Also in February, vandals drove three golf carts into Bingham Lake and vandalized a well driller doing work for the District. The direct cost to the District was nearly $4000 in lost water, staff overtime, costs to the driller, and to the Country Club.

   Unfortunately, the cost of this senseless vandalism is ultimately borne by our customers. If you witness or suspect vandalism or tampering with any of the District facilities, please call 911 and the District office immediately (303-841-2797).